Millennium Park is a major destination in Chicago for tourists and locals alike for many reasons. From world-famous sculptures to digital fountain art installations and year-round events, there’s plenty to do on this public campus for all ages.
Learn more about Millennium Park, its top attractions, and why people love living in this popular Chicago neighborhood.
Where is Millenium Park?
Millennium Park is in the heart of downtown Chicago on 201 E. Randolph St. It’s located within the Loop community and only two blocks west of the scenic Lake Michigan shoreline.
Depending on where you travel from, there are several public transit routes to the park. It has its own Metra stop at Millennium Station via the Metra Electric (ME) or South Shore Line (SSL) Lines. Plenty of bus stops also surround the park.
A Chicago Travel Guide to the Top Things to Do in Millennium Park
Millennium Park is more than an urban public space. It’s an award-winning global destination honored for its landscape, architecture, and local community contributions.
Sitting on a massive 24.5 acres, below are some of the best things to do in Millennium Park, along with public transit directions.
Capture Photo Memories at the Famous Cloud Gate “Bean”
Cloud Gate is arguably the most popular Millennium Park attraction and tourist destination in Chicago. Also known as the “Bean”, it’s a 33-foot-high reflective sculpture with a concave arch that gives it its famous nickname. It’s the world’s largest permanent outdoor art installation, weighing 100 tons and measuring 42 feet wide and 66 feet long.
You’ll find reflections of the Chicago skyline with its mirror-like stainless steel surface that offers picturesque memories from all angles. And yes, you can touch it as it’s designed for public interaction.
The Millennium Station is a one-minute walk via the ME or SSL Lines. The Randolph & Michigan bus stop is also a minute’s walk away via Bus 4, 60, 124, and X4.
Bring Your Kids or Friends to Maggie Daley Park
Maggie Daley Park is not a destination to miss while visiting Millennium Park. It’s a 20-acre outdoor recreational park with activities for all ages year-round.
The top attractions in Maggie Daley Park include:
•Two rock climbing walls with a maximum height of 40 feet and 100 climber capacity
•Seasonal 18-hole mini golf course, tennis courts, and pickleball courts
•Seasonal outdoor ice skating ribbon with themed play spaces and skyscraper views lapping around the park–roller blade and micro scooter rentals also available
•Two picnic groves, a three-acre children’s playground structure, and the Cancer Survivor’s Garden
•Maggie Daley Park is free admission and also hosts events year-round, like Easter Egg Hunts and a Valentine’s Day Dance.
Conveniently located on the same street as Millennium Park, the Millennium Station is a two-minute walk via the ME and SSL Lines. Washington & Wabash is the nearest pickup and drop-off bus stop, a three-minute walk via Buses 4, 20, 66, 147, and J14.
Visit the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is also award-winning, voted among the best art museums in the world, and sits right outside Millennium Park. It houses nearly 300,000 global artwork collections with rotating exhibitions and programs for all ages. From Japanese print portraits to Pan-African pictures and Ancient Roman sculptures, there’s always something new to see here.
During your visit, you can also attend workshops at the Ryan Learning Center, such as basketmaking, collage, and typography, including age-specific studio sessions for teens and families. There are even free daily gallery tours with English and Spanish-speaking guides.
The Adams/Wabash Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) station is a two-minute walk via the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Lines. The Adams/Wabash bus stop is also within the same station via Buses 1, 7, 28, 126, and 151.
Escape the Bustling City at Lurie Garden
Consistent with award-winning acknowledgments, Lurie Garden has also been recognized for its wildlife habitats, botanical city landscape, and public space design.
Known as the “secret garden” of Millennium Park, it’s open year-round on 2.5 acres with interactive features, including:
•Waterside Boardwalk: A five-foot wide floating boardwalk over exposed surface water with casual seating
•Light Plate: A contoured, controlled walking plane with bright designs
•Dark Plate: Another walking plane with cooler, dramatic designs facing opposite of the Light Plate
•The Seam: A vertical stone face corridor for casual strolls between the Light and Dark Plates
•Shoulder Edge: Known as the “big shoulders”, it’s a giant muscular hedge wall with a 14-foot-tall metal framework (Armature), protecting delineate perennials from pedestrian traffic
•The Extrusion Plaza: A circulation corridor extending through Millennium Park, Monroe St, and southwest Exelon Pavillion
•Night Lighting: A subtly glowing light “container” that transforms the Shoulder Edge into an illuminated space at night
The Millennium Station is a six-minute walk via the ME and SSL Lines. The Madison & Wabash is the nearest pickup and drop-off bus stop, a seven-minute walk via Buses 20, 56, 60, 66, 124, 157, and J14.
Attend an Event at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion & The Great Lawn
The Jay Pritzker Pavillion is a free outdoor venue that hosts some of the top cultural and music performances year-round, including the Summer Film Series and the Chicago Jazz Festival. Created by the world-renowned architect of Guggenheim, Frank Gehry, it’s elevated 120 feet above ground with overhanging stainless-steel ribbons that frame the stage and large glass doors that enclose the venue during colder months.
Accompanying the space is the 95,000 square-foot Great Lawn with a 10,000-people capacity and an aerial sound system–a first of its kind in the world.
Also conveniently located on the same street as Millennium Park, the Millennium Station is a four-minute walk via the ME and SSL Lines. The Randolph & Columbus bus stop is the nearest one, a five-minute walk via Bus 60.
Cool Off at Crown Fountain
Credit: Millennium Park Foundation
Chicago is known for its hot and humid summer season. If you’re visiting during this time, visiting the Crown Fountain is a great way to cool off within Millennium Park.
However, it’s not your average city fountain. It features two identical 50-foot towers with LED interactive video screens displaying 1,000 Chicago resident faces. After looking into their eyes towering above you, they even open their mouths, allowing water to flow out! It sits within a massive 232-foot long and 48-foot wide black granite reflective pool. It’s only ankle deep and encourages visitors to step into it and see the skyline views on the water’s surface.
The Washington/Wabash CTA station is a five-minute walk away via the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Lines by train. The Michigan & Monroe bus stop is across the street via Buses 3, 4, 5, 6, 26, 143, J14, and X4.
Eat At Millenium Hall Restaurant
Credit: Millennium Hall Restaurant
Nestled perfectly beneath the iconic Cloud Gate, Millennium Hall Restaurant is a premier dining spot worth trying. They serve seasonal menus with locally sourced ingredients in a scenic location.
You can eat al fresco in their Casa Bonita Pavillion or Double Cluth Beer Garden–the largest beer garden in Chicago. Their popular menu items include Neopolitan-style pizzas, Windy City Nachos with Italian sausage and lager beer cheese, and salted caramel pretzel brownies.
The Millennium Station is a three-minute walk via the ME and SSL Lines. The nearest pickup/drop-off bus stop is Washington & Wabash, a four-minute walk via the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Lines.
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